Sea Launch

Sea Launch is a unique spacecraft launch service that uses a specially modified floating oil drilling platform, positioned in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, for its launch platform.

Related Topics:
Sea Launch - Spacecraft - Pacific Ocean

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Four companies from four countries contribute to Sea Launch, and share in its ownership:

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Sea Launch rockets are assembled in Long Beach, California and placed in a hangar on the launch platform, which then sails to the equator. The hangar is opened, the rocket is moved to a vertical position, and the crew then gets onto a command ship. Then, with the launch platform unmanned, the rocket is fueled and finally launched.

Related Topics:
Long Beach, California - Equator

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There are several advantages of an ocean-based, equatorial launch platform over a conventional land-based one:

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• The rotational speed of the Earth is highest at the equator, which provides an extra launch "boost";
• The amount of orbital correction required to achieve a geostationary inclination is reduced; and
• An ocean launch reduces risks related to launching over populated areas.

In addition, the Sea Launch consortium also claims that launch-related operating costs are lower than a land-based equivalent would be, due in part to reduced staff requirements. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/1282541.html

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The first demonstration satellite was launched in March 1999, and the first commercial satellite in October 1999. In total, Sea Launch has launched 16 rockets, with 15 successes. The one failure, of a Hughes-built communications satellite owned by ICO Global Communications, occurred on the second commercial launch in March 2000 and was blamed on a software error that failed to close a valve in the second stage of the rocket.

Related Topics:
1999 - Hughes - ICO Global Communications - 2000

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All commercial payloads to date have been communications satellites intended for geostationary orbit, with such customers as EchoStar, DirecTV, XM Radio, and PanAmSat.

Related Topics:
Geostationary orbit - EchoStar - DirecTV - XM Radio - PanAmSat

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Sea Launch has a reciprocal agreement with Arianespace, providing assurance in case either company?s system is not able to launch a payload, whether for reasons of reliability, capacity, backlog, or otherwise. This was used for the first time in 2004, when Arianespace?s Ariane 5 had to reschedule a group of launches for reliability reasons.

Related Topics:
Arianespace - 2004 - Ariane 5

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Sea Launch: Launches ►